This popped up on a commuting thread... thought I'd just post a heads-up here as well, as this could very well be a great touring tire: Gator Hardshell

Improved sidewalls and added puncture protection... even in 32mm...

Would have liked a reflective sidewall option, but oh well...

edit: sorry the correct spelling is "GatorHardshell"

Thanks for the heads up. Are you seeing anywhere online where the 700 x 32 is being sold? Also at $50 a pop, hope to see them on sale somewhere.

i stopped using ultra gatorskins because the largest size you could get was the 700x28C. Great to see a 32C tire now. Might have to go back to the future

I have kind of mixed opinions on this. I think the Gator Hardshell might be more tire than I want. I have to wonder how much of the lively ride I like on my Ultra Gatorskins would be negated by a stiffer sidewall and heavier tire overall that the Hardshell seems to offer.

I would kind of like to see an Ultra Gatorskin in 700X32, but am pretty satisfied with the 700x28. I personally think the addition of a 700X32mm Ultra Gatorskin would have been better news than the addition of the Hardcase, but I am fairly tolerant of fixing a flat once in a while and highly value a lively feeling ride. Still it is nice to see an expansion of the line.

For 700x32...or even 28 for that matter, f the Gatorskin, Hardshell or not.
If you want to spend that kind of money, Kevlar-beaded Top Contacts are your huckleberry.

hardshell will ride like garden hose.

Maybe Hardshell will be somewhere inbetween Gators and Marathon Pluses?

I agree with staehpj1 about the great lively feel of regular Gatorskins, but reports of sidewall failures are a bit off-putting for a long tour (especially if you don't carry a spare, but let's not get into that... again).

I find SMPs to be heavy, slow and bouncy but needed the thorn protection in SoCal's deserts this winter... otherwise not much fun, imo

Never tried the Top Contacts, but have used regular Contacts for donkey's years mostly in europe (but this was before I discovered BF Still have them on my commuter.

Am interested in the first reports of Hardshells from the first guinea pig on tour maybe I'll get a pair just to give me an excuse to pop off for a short tour (still working this season

bek: garden hose? never tried that... hihi, but glad to see you have an open mind (just yanking)

Would have liked a reflective sidewall option, but oh well...

I'm curious why new tires that hit the market don't have reflective sidewalls. I've been running Continentals because of the reflective sidewall. Just seems to be a natural progression in technology.

Jerry H

I like reflective sidewalls a lot too. They are very visible from the side. Too bad they mostly only come on stiff heavy tires.

Is it possible that it is difficult or impossible to make a light tire with a flexible sidewall and reflective sidewalls?

The only reason I can see for not wanting reflective sidewalls is for ninja-camping...

Quote Originally Posted by jharte View Post
Would have liked a reflective sidewall option, but oh well...

Uh oh. Sorry imi, somehow your quote didn't end up as YOUR QUOTE on my reply. Hmmm...I messed something up.

Very true on the Ninja camping. I took some pictures of my 'discrete" camping on my last tour and my bike lit up like a Christmas tree! Not very discrete.

Jerry H

jharte: hihi, no sweat on the quote... yeah, ninja camping is getting hard with all the reflective material being put on tents, panniers, bags, clothes, shoes, you-name-it... sleeping bags? wouldn't surprise me either :/

I often cover everything (including bike) with a tarp but if it's windy total blackout (ninja-mode) isn't achieved sometimes...

To me the first basics of Ninja camping are to be behind something, so it wouldn't mater at all.

stealth camping maybe, but for me Ninja camping is being "invisible" from all angles... no reflections, only dark colors, no recognizable profile, melted into the surroundings.... yerknow, ninja!

Uh, the 700x28 Gator Hardshell is 40 grams heavier than the 700x28 kevlar-bead Top Contact (which has a reflective sidewall) - so I don't think so.

Where did you get those weights from Chip? From the conti uk site the weights are:

GatorHardshell wire 700x28 = 390g (rec price £29.95)

Top Contact wire 700x28 = 500g (rec price £44.99)

Top Contact folding 700x28 = 450g (rec price £49.99)

So that's a massive 110g difference (or at least 60g compared to the folding Top Contact)!
...not to mention the price...
edit: Chipcom, I realise you were just making a point as to the reflective band question...

The regular Gatorskin is 320g.

fwiw the Hardshell even has a higher rec. max pressure (120 psi) compared to the Top Contact (102 psi) so I'm thinking it might be a fast roller for those of us who like a hard ride...

A really uncomfortable fire hose!...

I think the three main reasons that come to my mind are:

1) cost more
2) zero safety benefit
3) people buying don't care about them

By the time anyone would see your reflective tires from the side you are safely past where they would hit you. You are far better off using two $3 reflective ankle bands that are visible 360 degrees - although they also won't do anything for side on collisions for the same reasons as the reflective sidewalls are not effective, but at least they work for other angles of viewing.

FWIW, Continental makes the Grand Prix 4000 with a reflective side wall in 700c X 25

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...al-top-contact

BTW, I've had Gatorskins,...they ride kinda harsh...which is why I run GP4000s or All Seasons on my road bike and the top contacts on my commuter and beater bikes (I like 32s on those, much smoother ride on rough roads and hard pack)

Yes, I was making a point about the reflective sidewall thing.

Just as another comparison the Schwalbe Marathon Plus weighs in at 740g (700x28c wire)

I love the feel of Gatorskins pumped to max (rode a 300km randonée with them but have never tried them fully loaded)... but have been a bit wary of sidewall failures as I don't carry a spare tire on tour...

GatorHardshells could well be perfect for me (me thinks). I'll order a pair as soon as I find an online store in the EU stocking them (any tips?) and will post findings...